The Kirksville man accused of molesting a 4-year-old in a local church and then arranging to meet with another minor in a local park is being referred to police agencies across the nation for alleged illegal images and text messages located on his phone potentially linking him to sexual crimes involving minors.

Kirksville Police have contacted at least 14 agencies across the nation in reference to numerous images and text messages located on Christopher Hunter’s cell phone after his arrest in Kirksville in mid-January.

According to the police reports, detectives located multiple images of apparent minors in addition to text message conversations with other minors and apparent attempts to conduct illegal activities of a sexual nature.

The investigation stemmed from the initial arrest of Hunter on Jan. 17 after he allegedly arranged a meeting for sex with a Kirksville minor at Jaycee Park.

Instead, Hunter had been conversing through Facebook with an undercover police detective and officers arrested him as he approached the park. Hunter was also charged with molesting a 4-year-old in the Southside Baptist Church in mid-December.

KPD Deputy Chief Tim King said officers are still working through both the cellphones and personal computers for Hunter, 19, and his girlfriend Kelly Ames, 21, who was also charged with allegedly molesting the same 4-year-old victim.

King said the images and messages are linked to multiple states and include not only minors but also apparent interactions with other adults allegedly trafficking in child pornography.

“Whatever these other agencies gather or find could be additional charges for what we have,” he said.